The magic of the Emirates FA Cup came to life at the Tameside Stadium on Saturday, as Bradford (Park Avenue) produced a dramatic late victory over higher-division Curzon Ashton.
A brace from Kareem Hassan-Smith, including a spectacular winner in added time, secured a 2-1 triumph for the Avenue and booked their place in the Second Round Qualifying.
Despite playing a division below their hosts, the Avenue showed no fear as they made a positive start. Inside the first five minutes, Connor Shanks met Scott Duxbury’s cross, but his header sailed over the crossbar.
Moments later, Bradford came close again. Some fantastic, free-flowing football down the left saw Charlie Winfield pick out Marcus Carver inside the penalty area. His powerful cross flashed across the face of the goal, narrowly evading the onrushing Hassan-Smith.
The Avenue were finally rewarded for their impressive start on the half-hour mark. Another slick move down the left saw Robbie Fox sent racing down the left wing by Brad Abbott, before his low cross was bundled over the line from close range by Hassan-Smith, who made no mistake this time.
Not content with just one goal, the visitors pushed for a second. Captain Jameel Ible rose highest to meet Winfield’s in-swinging corner, but his glancing header flew narrowly off target.
As the half came to a close, Bradford still looked the more likely side to find the game’s second goal. Hassan-Smith was again a threat down the right, showing excellent footwork to beat his man before cutting the ball back to Carver. The forward attempted a back-heel flick from close range, but Dowling, in the Curzon Ashton goal, was equal to it, making a smart save.
The second half saw the home side grow into the game and enjoy more spells of possession, but they struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities as the Avenue defence stood firm.
However, the Nash were rewarded for their persistence when they found an equaliser inside the final ten minutes. A cross from the right by Jack Stobbs ricocheted off Abbott, and with the Avenue defence unable to clear their lines, second-half substitute Ola Lawal pounced to slice the ball home.
With a potential replay looming, both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages. No sooner had the board gone up to indicate five minutes of added time, than Hassan-Smith picked up the ball, beat his defender and produced an outstanding finish with the outside of his boot to send the travelling Green Army into a frenzy.
The final whistle sparked jubilant scenes among the travelling supporters, as the Avenue held on to secure a memorable 2-1 victory and book their place in the Second Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup.
After controlling much of the first half and showing tremendous character to respond to the Curzon Ashton equaliser, Bradford had the final say thanks to Hassan-Smith’s stunning late winner.
Attention now turns back to league action, with the Avenue returning to the Horsfall Community Stadium on Tuesday evening (8 September) to face local rivals Silsden AFC. The fixture was originally scheduled to be the opening game of the season before being rearranged, and the Green Army will be looking to carry the confidence from Saturday’s dramatic cup victory into their league campaign.
Curzon Ashton: Dowling, Sobowale, Hayhurst, Poscha, Amado, Nolan, Stobbs, Whitehead, Curran, Roberts (Lawal 61′), Holmes
Goalscorers: Lawal (81′)
Bradford (Park Avenue): Lambton, Hassan-Smith, Winfield, Duxbury, Misambo (Chorlton 85′), Ible, Abbott (Parkin 87′), Ekpolo, Carver (Thompson 85′), Fox (Andreucci 67′), Shanks
Goalscorers: Hassan-Smith (31′, 90+3′)
Match report: Ste Grimshaw